Chapter 7

“Let go of my mommy!” Krystal shouts, hitting him anywhere she could get her hands on. I can hear the panic and fear in her voice, and it drives my own.

I try to get him to let go, but he just squeezes tighter.

“Shut the fuck up, you brat,” he says before pushing her, making her fall.

Blue was too weak to fight back, so I was basically human. I was starting to lose air, black dots dancing in my vision. Just when I had lost hope, I heard a loud bang, and the man went still before he crumpled to the floor.

Standing behind him was Claire, holding a stick, looking terrified.

“Oh, thank the Goddess. I didn’t know what to do when I heard Krystal's scream, so I grabbed the nearest thing. Are you two alright?” she asked, her chest heaving. She was in complete shock.

I help Krystal up and hug her to my side, rubbing the raw flesh around my neck. I was scared and pissed off. This was the second time I'd been attacked. To make it worse, Krystal was with me, and she could have really been hurt.

“Let's just get out of here,” I say. My voice is hoarse, even to my own ears.

Claire nods and starts leading the way.

“Do you think he's dead? He's human after all,” Claire asks.

I bark angrily. “I honestly don't care. But I do hope so.”

I could feel Krystal's tremors. For some reason, she was really shaken. We were wolves, so she sees this type of thing a lot; I don't understand why she’s so shaken up. I scoop her up into my arms. She wraps her limbs around me and starts sobbing.

“Shh, baby. You're okay. That bad man can't hurt you,” I coo soothingly.

She continues crying. I was about to soothe her more when a voice cuts in.

“Well... if it isn't Sebastian's new woman.”

I turn around to find Miranda, her face contorted in disgust. Her mask was finally off; the real devil behind it was now revealed.

I look at Claire. “Could you take Krystal with you? I'll be there in a moment.”

I hand Krystal over to her. At first, she refuses to go, but I assure her that I won't be long—I just need to have an adult conversation with Miranda.

"What do you want, Miranda?” I ask once they were gone.

I stare at her, trying to figure out if she had anything to do with the attacks. It's too much of a coincidence that she would show up minutes after the attack took place.

“Nothing much. Just wanted to tell you that you shouldn't get too comfortable. I can easily take Sebastian away from you just like I did with Darren. After all, he was mine first.”

I have the urge to wipe the smug look off her face, but I hold back. I glare at her. I was so done with her bullshit.

“Let's not waste each other's time here, so I'll get to the point. Don't test me, Miranda; you have no idea what I'm capable of. If I find out you're behind any of my attacks, I swear there's no place you'll hide that I won't find. I will destroy you. No one will be able to protect you from me—not even Darren. I will go through him just to get to you. No one will save you, not even the Moon Goddess,” I finish.

She looks shocked, and I swear I see fear swimming in the depths of her eyes.

She recovers quickly, an arrogant look taking its place. “You can't touch me. Darren will end you.” Apparently, apart from being stupid, she was also dumb.

"We'll see about that, won't we?” I snap.

I don't spare her another look and turn, dismissing her as the unimportant person she was, leaving her screaming my name angrily.

I find Claire and Krystal waiting by my car. Krystal immediately comes to me, plastering herself to my side. I don't mind; after the events of today, I really needed the comfort.

“So, what did the wicked witch of the east want?” Claire asks curiously. I smile despite the throb in my neck.

I expected Krystal to come to Miranda's defense, but she didn't. She just hugs me tighter, as if she were afraid that I would disappear at any moment.

“I'll tell you later.”

“Do you still want to go dress hunting?” she asks, her eyes trained on my neck.

I don't need to be told that bruises are already forming. By the burn I feel there and Claire's concerned look, I already knew my answer.

“No. I just want to go home and nap.”

The attack, plus having to deal with the paparazzi earlier—and let's not forget Miranda—has left me drained. I feel exhausted and I just want to close my eyes and sleep.

Claire shakes her head in sympathy. “Sorry for what happened today, and don't worry, we will find whoever is behind the attacks, and when we do, they'll wish they never crossed you.”

Sometimes I forget she’s the female beta. I also forget how scary she can be.

I give her a small smile, then hug and thank her for saving us. We say our goodbyes after promising her that I'll call her once I'm home.

Krystal and I get in my car and drive off. We don't talk, both of us seemingly lost in our thoughts. It may have ended badly, but it was still a win because Krystal didn't push me away like I had expected.

We soon arrive at Darren's pack. Driving past the familiar streets brings unwanted memories—memories that I have tried my best to forget.

It was around four-thirty, and I hoped I would find Darren home. We reach the Alpha’s house. I park my car in the street then help Krystal out. I stand in the driveway, frozen, looking at the house that was once my home.

Krystal tugs my hand. “Let's go inside, mommy.”

I really didn’t want to. I swore I would never step foot inside that house again.

I was about to come up with an excuse, but the door opens. Darren walks out, his footsteps heavy and murder written all over his face. I sigh. I honestly didn't have the energy to deal with his stupid tantrums.

“Go inside, baby girl,” he tells Krystal.

“But daddy, I want mommy to stay a little bit.”

“Now, Krystal!” he commands.

Krystal rushes inside the house after giving me one last hug and a look of concern. I watch her until she disappears inside before turning my eyes to Darren.

"Why the fuck did you threaten Miranda? Didn't I tell you to stay the fuck away from my woman?” he asks, completely livid.

I rub the bridge of my nose in frustration and annoyance.

“Seriously? We're back to the same shitty topic about the same shitty woman?”

"Don’t you dare call her that... Why are you trying to break us up?”

I bark a laugh at that. If only the imbecile knew what Miranda said to me, he wouldn't be defending her. I wasn't going to enlighten him, though. Let him rot in the rotten bed of roses and thorns he made for himself.

"You know what? I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer. I'll just leave you to your brainwashed, stupid brain.”

I turn to leave, but he stops me. “What happened to your neck?”

"Why don’t you ask your mate, hmm?” I pause before continuing. “Let this be the last time I say this, Darren. Keep that slut away from me, and I'll tell you what I told her: I am not afraid to plow through you to get to her. So keep your fucking bitch on a fucking leash.”

I snarl and he growls, snapping at me like a rabid dog. “Is that a fucking threat?”

We're head to toe, both of us breathing fire.

“No. It's a fucking warning.”

I turn and leave him standing there, seething at me. As I walk to my car, I notice we had attracted attention. Those living in the pack house, which was opposite Darren's house, had come out.

They give me small smiles, but I ignore them. Most of them were the first to turn against me when things went south with Darren. I get into my car and drive off, glad to be away from him.

By the time I reach home, it's already dark. I notice the lights are on and I become a bit apprehensive. Sniffing the air, I don't smell any foreign scents, just Sebastian's intoxicating one.

I unlock the door and find him seated on the couch with one of my magazines. He looks out of place in my cottage full of feminine décor. He's too big for my small space. I'm not talking about just his physical size, but his personality and his presence.

He turns to look at me when I enter.

"Hi,” I greet him while removing my shoes.

I don't see him moving. One moment he was seated, and the next, he was standing before me. I stumble and almost fall, but he wraps his arm around my waist, breaking my fall and bringing me flush against his body.

His eyes are intense, searing me as he inspects my neck. His finger touches my neck in a gentle touch, and my breath gets stuck.

"What happened to you?” he demands dangerously, an edge in his tone.

It takes a while for my brain to catch up. I wish he wouldn't touch me; it messes with my brain. I entangle myself from him, bringing some much-needed distance between us.

“I was attacked by some guy at Eastgate,” I say dismissively. I didn't like the way Blue was purring, so I needed Sebastian to leave.

“Fuck!” he roars, his hands on his hips. “This is the second time in less than two weeks.”

I don't say anything, just watch him. He takes out his phone.

"Get me the security feeds at Eastgate, pronto.” He hangs up the phone before turning to me. “Give me a description.”

I hesitate for a while before finally giving him the description of my attacker.

“What are you going to do to him?” I ask nervously.

“Don’t worry about it. Just get some dinner then rest. You're now mine, Red. I take care of my own,” he replies, kissing me gently on the forehead before leaving.

I should be worried that he was probably going to kill the man—a human at that—but that's not what is at the forefront of my mind. His soft touch still lingers. I hate it and love it at the same time.

The path I'm on is dangerous. I can't get attached to him. We had an agreement and I can't breach it. It would be a disaster if I did. So knowing all this, why the hell did I like him calling me his?